The route to Casablanca (Morocco) inaugurated last December and operated with the new Airbus A 319, has become popular in no time. As a result the direct flights to the business centre of Morocco will increase from three to five (as of 28 March) and even seven weekly rotations are offered in the peak period (Easter holidays, July and August).

The new destination Istanbul, linked to SN's network as of March three times weekly, will be connected daily to Brussels as of April. Travellers will arrive in Istanbul already before noon time.

"Thanks to these schedule and network optimisations we offer business and leisure travellers more and better travel solutions", says Vice President Communication Geert Sciot. "More and more air travellers become time sensitive or want flexibility. They will certainly find this in the new schedules to Bilbao, Casablanca and Istanbul. On all these flights passengers can enjoy free drinks, meals and earn Privilege frequent flyer miles. We also want to maintain our reputation for punctuality. SN Brussels Airlines claimed the third position last year in the punctuality ranking of the AEA (Association of European Airlines)."

Air France Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Cyril Spinetta and KLM President and Chief Executive Officer, Leo van Wijk, both declared: "The European Commission's decision defines a clear legal framework for us to set up Europe's leading air transport group. By giving its clearance, the Commission has shown its commitment to the consolidation of our industry, whose current, highly fragmented organization is no longer adapted to the challenges of today's world."

The remedies package, which has been agreed with the Commission, mainly consists in improved access to take-off and landing slots for new entrants, and is designed in such a way that these will not affect Air France's nor KLM's hub system.

Both companies will make the required slots available at their main hubs, Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle airports, only when a new entrant is unable to obtain these slots via regular procedures. Neither party has been required to give up any routes or frequencies. Furthermore, both airlines have agreed to the traditional remedies sought by the Commission, which are not slot-related, such as frequent flyer programme access, interline agreements, etc.

The new Air France - KLM Group will leverage the brands, hubs and networks of both airlines. It will generate substantial synergies thanks to the optimization of the two networks, a more rational deployment of passenger and cargo operations, an extended offering in MRO activities, as well as cost savings in procurement, sales distribution and IT systems. Customers will also benefit from synergies through an extended network, attractive fares and enhanced services at all the Group's destinations.

The new codeshare routes go on sale from 08 February 2026 and are available for travel from 18 February 2004. The new destinations bringing the total number of codeshare routes added to the British Airways network to 90.

These include Colorado Springs, Norfolk in Virginia, Cedar Rapids in Iowa, Kalamazoo in Michigan, Syracuse, New York state and Wichita Falls in Texas. In addition Houston, Orlando and Detroit, already served on the BA network, will have added frequencies connecting via Miami and Chicago, giving customers more flexible travel choices.

American Airlines will be extending its reach by placing its flight code on selected BA services from London Gatwick and Heathrow to a number of domestic and European destinations including Newcastle, Bucharest and Nice.

The codeshare relationship brings a substantial number of ‘new’ US, Central and South American destinations under the BA flight code and marks a significant increase to the number of routes bookable directly through BA.com.

The US Department of Transportation gave approval in May last year to the codesharing application made by the two airlines to place each other’s code on services operated between the UK regions and USA. At the same time approval was given to codeshare on destinations beyond British Airways’ 18 US gateway cities, (such as Chicago and Miami), and American Airlines’ UK gateways.

Transatlantic sectors between London and the US are not included in the current codeshare and frequent flyer agreements.

Opened in the late 1920s, the Grosvenor House hotel boasts frontage along Park Lane across from Hyde Park and encompasses the entire block between Upper Grosvenor Street, Mount Street and Park Street in the most coveted London postcode. The restoration will encompass its exterior façade, guest rooms, public space, dining areas, health club, kitchens and the addition of spa facilities. Upon completion, the hotel will offer 498 guest rooms and will be rebranded The Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel, the first property to carry this flag in the United Kingdom.

The Shelbourne originally opened in 1824 and is located on St. Stephens Green in central Dublin. In 1922, the Irish Constitution was drafted and signed in the hotel, and the property still plays a prominent role in Irish society. Today, its lounge, the Horseshoe Bar, is a popular gathering place for members of Ireland’s parliament and judiciary. Its restoration program will cover guest rooms, lobby and dining facilities, as well as the addition of central air conditioning in guest rooms, meeting rooms and public space.

Upon completion, the hotel will offer 276 rooms and will be rebranded The Shelbourne, a Renaissance Hotel. It will be the eighth Renaissance-branded property in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Marriott International will operate both hotels during the restoration programs.

“We are thrilled by the addition of these two sensational hotels to our global lodging portfolio and are delighted to be able to introduce our JW Marriott brand to London and to expand our Renaissance brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland,” said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott International.

JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts is Marriott’s distinctive collection of luxurious hotels providing attentive personal service, elegant accommodations and an extensive array of services desired by the world’s most discerning travelers. The collection currently encompasses 32 properties in 16 countries.

Following completion of its restoration program, The Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel will have 498 guest rooms, a concierge lounge, a business center, a gift shop, and a health club and spa. Plans for its food and beverage offerings are still being developed.

Having one of the largest ballrooms in Europe with a banqueting capacity for over 2,000 guests, the hotel will offer 52,323 square feet of space, including a 21,528-square-foot Great Room, a 6,146-square-foot ballroom, 32 meeting rooms in various configurations providing a total of 24,251 square feet of space, and one 398-square-foot board room.

Renaissance Hotels & Resorts is an upscale, distinctive, sophisticated full-service hotel brand designed to enhance the enjoyment and productivity of its guests. Renaissance guests can expect stylish, comfortable environments, respectful service and contemporary restaurants that feature well-defined, quality dining experiences.

Following completion of its restoration program, The Shelbourne, a Renaissance Hotel will have 276 guest rooms, an addition of 86 rooms to its current accommodations mix. For dining and recreation, the hotel will have two restaurants and three lounges. Other amenities will include a gift shop, health club with indoor swimming pool, a business center and off-site valet parking.

For conferences and social events, the hotel will have 12,249 square feet of space, including a 3,940-square-foot Great Room, 10 individual meeting rooms offering a combined total of 5,909 square feet, and the addition of three new meeting rooms offering a total of 2,400 square feet.

In London, the Marriott International lodging portfolio is represented by eight Marriott and Renaissance hotels offering 2,417 rooms. Two additional hotels will open later this year at Canary Wharf—the 301-room London Marriott West India Quay and the 47-unit Marriott Executive Apartments West India Quay.

In Ireland, the Marriott International portfolio is represented by the 148-room Druids Glen Marriott Hotel & Country Club located about 25 miles south of Dublin.